Mass spectral characterization of polymers. Primary thermal fragmentation processes in polyureas

The primary fragmentation processes in the thermal decomposition of polymers were studied in detail on a series of structurally related polyureas by direct pyrolysis with a mass spectrometer. Our results indicate that polyureas I–III undergo a quantitative depolycondensation process analogous to that observed for N‐monosubstituted polyurethanes. The thermal decomposition of polyureas IV–VI proceeds by intramolecular hydrogen transfer processes that occur at higher temperatures with respect to depolycondensation. Polycarboxypiperazine VI is decomposed by a single‐stage decomposition mechanism that leads to fragments with amino end groups and carbon oxide.